CAREY JOINS PETER ADAMS
(November 11, 1999) Peter D. Adams, Educational Counseling, Hartford, CT and Buckland, MA, 203-233-6624 & 413-625-6733, announced Lisa Carey, who has worked 13 years at Rocky Mountain Academy, Mt. Bachelor Academy, and the Academy at Swift River, has joined his firm “in charge of special placements for students who need emotional growth or therapeutic programs.”

RUNAWAY WILDERNESS STUDENTS FINED
(January 12, 2000) The Outdoor Network reported the eight teens who ran from RedCliff Ascent in Utah, prompting a four-day search, have been placed on probation and ordered to pay fines and restitution. Their fines ranged from $3,700 to more than $7,000.

ASPEN YOUTH SERVICES ACQUIRES TURN ABOUT RANCH
(January 31, 2000) Elliot A. Sainer, CEO of Aspen Youth Services, headquartered in Cerritos, California, 562-467-5500, announced the acquisition of Turn About Ranch, in Escalante, Utah. The Ranch has been operating for eleven years and Max Stewart will remain as Ranch Director. Aspen Youth Services currently serves six states, providing “education, treatment and rehabilitation services to at-risk youth and their families.”

EAGALA APPROVED BY NAADAC
(February, 2000) The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), headquartered in Santaquin, Utah, 877-858-4600, has been approved by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) as an approved continuing education provider. This means participation in EAGALA sponsored educational workshops can qualify for CEU’s. Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia has developed an Equine Assisted Growth and Development as a minor degree program in their Department of Social Work, using techniques taught by Greg Kersten, “Founder and leader in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

OBSIDIAN TRAILS GETS PERMIT BACK
(February 1, 2000) The Bend, Oregon Bulletin reported the Bureau of Land Management lifted the suspension of the recreation permit belonging to Obsidian Trails Outdoor School (541-318-6034). The permit was suspended January 5, 2000 after two youths ran from the program and stole a vehicle from some neighboring ranchers “at knife-point.” The two male juveniles, who were quickly apprehended, will have their pre-trial hearing on April 3. Owner Greg Bodenhamer said the two youth “had no previous record of criminal behavior or violence.” The permit was reinstated after Obsidian Trails had presented an updated plan of operation ensuring “a higher level of safety,” increased screening procedures, increased staffing in the field, and “moving camps further away from occupied ranches and residences.”

TREX ADDS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
(February 8, 2000) Anne B. Rivera, Ex. Director of TREX, Inc., Bend, Oregon, 541-385-0323, announced they are now operating their residential program. “Participants live as a ‘contained community’ on our beautiful 40-acre ranch in Bend, Oregon, for a minimum of four months.” This is a coed program, maximum of 16 youth, “who have previously completed the TREX 21- Day Program.”

AB 705 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED
(February 8, 2000) Allen Cardoza, President of West Shield Adolescent Services, Huntington Beach, CA, 800-899-8585, announced that Assembly Bill 705, passed by the California legislature in October, was designed to “protect our industry and the rights of parents who are in desperate need of assistance in transporting their at risk and/or resistant children to programs, schools and facilities.” This law became effective as of January 1, 2000 and “requires all employees of Transport Escort Services that escort California minors outside of the state to be registered with The California Registry of Child Care Providers….” This registry is maintained by the California Department of Social Services. “Individuals that register are given a background check that is conducted through the California Department of Social Services, which includes checks of the Child Abuse Central Index, the Department of Justice and a criminal check through the Federal Bureau of Investigations.”

IRRATIONAL FEAR GRIPS OROFINO IDAHO
(Feb. 10, 2000) The Idaho Statesman reported nearly 800 Clearwater County residents are objecting to a proposed home for teen age boys which had been approved 5-1 by the Clearwater County Planning and Zoning Commission. The paper reported the opposition was based on fear the home would bring in “troubled boys from the inner city.” The proposed Sun Mountain Ranch would be run by Kenneth and Janet (Chris) Fudge. Those who have worked in this network know Chris by her work as Admissions Director at Turn About Ranch in southern Utah. They also know the boys they anticipate enrolling would be suburban boys with functional families who need a second chance.

SUNRISE FAMILY SERVICES ONLINE
(February 11, 2000) Phillip and Cheryl McBride, 801-221-4650, Wulfgarin@aol.com, founders and operators of Sunrise Family Services, a program located in Orem, Utah, for girls 10-17, announced they are now online. A review of their program appeared in Woodbury Reports’ Places for Struggling Teens Issue #66, February, 2000, and also under the New Perspectives Section on our web site.

OREGONIAN RAPS UNREGULATED WILDERNESS SCHOOLS
(Feb. 12, 2000) Gordon Gregory, a correspondent for The Oregonian, wrote an article titled “Deadly discipline? Some say unregulated wilderness schools are a threat to troubled teens’ lives.”

SUMMER AT PHELPS
(Feb. 15, 2000) James Spiro, Director of Admissions at The Phelps School, 610-644-1754, announced their five-week summer program will start July 2, 2000. Designed for young men of high school age “who need academic work, support, structure, and remediation during the summer, it is not a program for behavior modification,” rather, a way for student to “improve their self-esteem and become more academically motivated during the five-week session.”

INDEPENDENCE CENTER GROWS
(Feb. 16, 2000) Judy Maizlish of “Independence Center, Los Angeles, Calif., 310-202-7102, a center for over 18-year-olds, many with LD problems, announced Dr. Marie Walbridge, a licensed therapist with 30 years of career planning experience, is now in charge of the Center’s vocational program. They also now have both group and 1:1 on-site counseling by licensed therapists, and Avalon Westside Terraces, where their apartments are located, has added a new fitness center that rivals those found at most health clubs.

WAKEFIELD LOOKING FOR CARTISANO
(Feb. 16, 2000) The Samoa Observer, an internet newspaper, reports Dan Wakefield, owner of the former New Hope Academy, while in Samoa, said he had paid the debt owed by the school to US banks in installments “to protect the integrity of the bankers involved” and vowed he will find Stephen “Cartisano” to pay back the money [$25,000] so that he could pay his local creditors.” The newspaper reports “It [New Hope Academy] has been transformed into another organization called Pacific Coast Academy with Cartisano as boss.”

KING GEORGE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
(Feb. 17, 2000) Director of Admissions Rebecca Plona, King George School, Sutton, Vermont, 800-218-5122, announced in January the school added a culinary arts program, including preparing a five-course meal for fifty people. For their winter performance, students adapted Oscar Wilde’s “The Nightingale and the Rose” for the stage. Students were responsible for all aspects of the performance.

GRAND RIVER ACADEMY SUMMER SESSIONS
(Feb. 23, 2000) Keith Corlew, Director of Admissions at Grand River Academy, Austinburg, Ohio, 440-275-2811, academy@grandriver.org, announced their five-day and seven-day boarding programs will run from June 26 to August 4, 2000. With a ratio of one faculty member for every four students, the school is capable of helping students who are not working to their potential for a successful college education.

CEDU SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS
(Feb. 24, 2000) Lori Armbruster, Ex. Dir. Of Customer Service for the CEDU Family of Services, headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, 800-990-2338, is sending an information packet produced by CEDU outlining the reasons a parent would be well served by engaging an independent educational consultant. The brochure is being distributed to admissions inquirers who are not consulting with an educational consultant, and also to parents of enrolled students who are not affiliated with a consultant.

NATWC 7TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
(Feb. 25, 2000) Rick McClintock, conference organizer for the 7th Annual conference of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, 724-329-8300, tick@hhs.net, announced the conference will be held April 30, May 1,2,3 at the Montreat Conference Center, Black Mountain, North Carolina. Featured will be their National Teacher/counselor Recognition Program, called “Put a Feather in Your Cap.” The conference will include a wide variety of workshops, including: adventure-based counseling, using the medicine wheel, mediation, teen court, tree-climbing, the Alpine “Tower as a therapeutic tool, drumming and dulcimers, and wilderness medicine for adolescents. Keynote speakers will include primitive skills masters Larry Dean Olsen and Ezekial Sanchez and Ann Sloan, president-elect of the IECA (Independent Educational Associates Association).

SUMMIT ACHIEVEMENT TRANSITION PROGRAM
(Feb. 28, 2000) Chris Mays, Executive Director for Summit Achievement, 800-697-2020, Deer Hill Road, Stow, Maine, announced the opening of their new Transition program. It is a “step down” model suitable for longer term students, especially graduates of wilderness or residential treatment who are transitioning home, or to a new school. This expansion to their Cold River Lodge adds a new academic building and two new dormitories.